'Midnight Ride' to visit Gaylord

August 15, 2001

The 15th annual Midnight Ride Through Michigan to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) will make its yearly stop in Gaylord on the third Saturday in August as cyclists trek northward from Grand Rapids to St. Ignace.

The group - consisting of members of the Goldwing Road Riders Association - departs from Grand Rapids at midnight, picking up more riders along the way. Last year the fundraiser generated more than $24,000 for the JDRF. Combining the efforts over the past 14 years, the group has raised in excess of $100,000.

The event is quite the sight to witness, according to Vern Cavitch of Glen's Markets. He explained the founders who started the ride in 1986 thought it was too hot to take to the road during the day. The riders have been making an official stop in Gaylord for the past five years or longer.

"It's a pretty neat thing," Cavitch said. "I've talked to several people around town, and they didn't even realize it was happening because it's so early in the morning."

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After a breakfast donated by Glen's and several of the bikers stopping to fill up at the nearby gas stations, the core of the group departs from the lot at approximately 6:30 a.m. There are other riders who make their way in and out throughout the morning hours.